 | |  | | | The Opus 500 system has a user interface based on attractively styled touch screens. | |
Whole house networks
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| 02 Mar 2010
With the building sector currently showing only modest signs of recovery after the recession, many electrical contractors are still looking for new ways of generating income. As Keith Wilson explains, one possibility is for them to capitalise on the growing interest in the "wired home", where TV, audio and telephone connections are provided throughout the house.
Not so very many years ago, most people were content to have one television, one telephone and one hi-fi system in their homes. And even if they were among the very few that had a computer, it was most unlikely to be connected to the outside world. Life is a little different now. Homeowners want television, access to their music, and high-speed data connections in almost every room.
It is, of course, possible to use wireless systems to provide some of the connectivity that homeowners desire. Most will, for example, already be using cordless phones and many will have wireless networks to use with their laptop computers. Nevertheless, wired solutions still provide important benefits, especially when they are installed as new properties are being built, or as part of a major rewire.
This is an excellent opportunity for electrical contractors who are prepared to offer a home network system – or even just a television distribution system – as an add-on to a wiring project. And, since home networking is still something slightly special, the profit margins are likely to be somewhat higher than those associated with the conventional electrical installations.
Why wiredIt’s probably a good idea at this point, however, to look as some of the reasons why homeowners might want a wired installation rather than simply opting for wireless solutions. One big factor is that satisfactory distribution of high quality television signals throughout a house is much easier to achieve with a wired installation than with wireless systems, especially where there is a requirement to watch programmes from multiple sources – DVD players, set top boxes and satellite receivers – simultaneously in different rooms.
Another factor is that wired connections are very reliable and, in the case of data, they combine the highest speeds with the lowest susceptibility to disruption by interference. It’s also worth noting that, when it comes to data, we are no longer simply talking about connecting to computers.
These days all manner of devices benefit from Internet connections including, for example, Blu-Ray players that offer interactive material, television sets that receive firmware updates via the Internet and, of course, home automation systems that allow remote monitoring and control. It’s even been suggested that the fridge of the future will use the Internet to automatically order items needed to restock itself. In all of these cases, wired connections are likely to be the best option.
Having established a good case for installing home networks, what sort of equipment is being offered to support them? If it’s a straightforward installation with separate cabling for TV signals, data and telephone, all that’s really needed – apart from the cables, of course – is some form of neat and versatile outlet that can be fitted unobtrusively in each room.
That’s exactly what Newey & Eyre offers with its Newlec Data and AV Module range. This essentially comprises a wide selection of wiring accessory plates into which can be clipped connection modules for TV, data and telephone services. Almost any combination of modules can be accommodated, making the system extremely versatile and customisable.
In addition, the range includes quadplexers and triplexers to allow multiple appliance connections – TV, FM and satellite, for example – to be provided via a single-gang outlet. The modules are available in black or white and, once assembled, the accessory plates fit in a standard 25mm deep mounting box.
For applications where a more sophisticated installation is required, Schneider Electric offers its Lexcom Performance system. This allows telephone, data and TV signals to be distributed around the home via a single cable. At the heart of the system is a Lexcom Performance unit that can be wall or shelf mounted, or installed on a DIN rail in an enclosure.
The unit has eight outlets, and each carries all three services – telephone, data and TV. If more outlets are needed, the units can be daisy-chained. Connections between the Lexcom Performance unit and the outlet sockets are made with shielded multicore cables that are as easy to install as ordinary power cables. In addition, termination is fast and straightforward, as the system uses insulation-displacement connectors.
The Lexcom Performance range includes convenient wall-mounting controllers, as well as an easy-to-use test kit that makes verifying the performance of installations a fast and straightforward task.
Even more versatility is offered by Hellermann Tyton Home Network Sciences. Once again, this company’s system has a central unit, to which all incoming services – that is, signals from television aerials and satellite dishes, external telephone lines and an ADSL router/modem – are connected. The central unit then feeds outlets in the various rooms of the house, as required.
The connections between the central unit and the outlets are not, however, all made with the same type of cable. For example, CT100 co-axial cable is used for television signals, while Cat 5e data cables are used for other types of signal.
Audio signalsThe Hellermann Tyton system makes provision for audio signals to be distributed throughout the house from sources such as MP3, CD or DVD players. CCTV security cameras can also be connected and images from the cameras can be viewed on any television connected to the system. Infrared pass through is offered, meaningthat a remote control can be used in one room to control a DVD player, satellite receiver or similar device in another room.
Where a truly impressive and flexible installation is required, the Opus 500 premium multi-room entertainment system may well be worth considering. This supports the latest home technologies such as iPods, Media Centre PCs, scene lighting, high definition video distribution and climate control. Like many of the other systems discussed in this article, it works with a Master Control Unit (MCU – see picture below). This is typically located in a service cupboard along with entertainment sources such as DVD players, satellite receivers and media servers.
The signals from the MCU are distributed around the house using various types of cable, an interesting option being the support for TV signals distributed over Cat 5e data cabling. One of the most appealing features of the Opus 500 system, however, is its touchscreen controls. The attractively styled screens are typically wall mounted in every major room, and give users complete control over every aspect of the system – it’s even possible, for example, to operate an iPod or a Media Centre computer exactly as if you were interacting with it directly.
While Opus states that its system is easy to install and configure, it is nevertheless clear that most electrical contractors will need a little guidance before entering this unfamiliar territory. For this reason, the company operates the Opus Training Academy, which offers courses tailored to the exact needs of every client.
There’s little doubt that, in the not too distant future, “wired homes” will be the norm rather than the exception. Those electrical contractors who gain early experience in this market stand, therefore, not only to benefit from having a profitable extra option to offer right now, but also from having experience that will be greatly in demand in the future. | |
 | | | Neat outlet plates are a feature of the Hellermann Tyton Home Network Sciences system. | |
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